I heart quality livestock photography

This will most likely be the title of a few posts... But in light of majors season - here's 'I heart quality livestock photography' post número uno.

First off, I am a huge supporter of ShowChampions. For those of you who know me- you know why. For those who are reading a strangers blog - I owe everything I know and all my success to Bruce, Dave and Allan. I love them.

With that said, I'm a huge fan of hotshots. Most breeders don't recognize the value of a great hotshot. Think about it. 98% of livestock look 100% better in the ring or loose in a pasture or lot then they do at a backdrop. The backdrop is a necessary evil that is so unnatural for most stock. But then again, the backdrop is what everyone works towards. Necessary evil. Ah well.

Anyway, the other reason I love hotshots is because when I'm stuck at home or on the road working, I can still see what class winners or breed champs look like. Which brings me to my blog's point:: taking pictures of livestock requires you to know what livestock are supposed to look like. Just because you have photography experience does not mean you take awesome livestock pictures... So when I went to see what my pal Jonathan McAnulty's home raised steer looked like ( before he literally JUST won grand at San Antonio ... I'm serious I started this blog before he even entered the rodeo arena ) I was pleasantly surprised... No, surprised isn't the right word... I was flat impressed. Kassie Johnson, you nailed hotshots over the past two days!!! Nice work!!! I appreciate quality livestock images over just about everything in life and you made my day. ( By the way, this came at little surprise .. have you seen her cattle? the girl knows how to breed a great one ) From Jonathan's expressions, to making Emily June's steer look awesome and to making my Niece's steer 'little Mac' actually look like a class winner in the AOB's (which he was! Made the lap in ftw, gets the brand in SA... We'll take it)

Here are some examples of what I'm talking about... I like visuals ::

Nothing better than this

EJ superstickin' Heavy Hitter. 

Emily June's face is priceless. I adore her

Emma in champ AOB drive... looking pretty solid!!!

I tip my hat to you Miss Johnson! And to all quality livestock photographers out there. We are becoming few and far between.

Oh and CONGRATS JONATHAN!!!!!! SO SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!



JAR

Welcome!

Welp, I am officially going to try to start blogging again. Why? No idea. As most of you know, I certainly do not have much free time for it. But, here goes nothing!

As you have discovered from my blog's title, I am - in fact - a coach's wife. Not athletic or anything nifty like that... But my husband coaches the livestock judging team at Blinn Community College in Brenham, Texas. With that said, most of my blogs will be centered around the livestock industry since both he and I live every day in it. I plan on blogging at least three times a week... topics will be random, but I can promise there will be failed attempts at humor, some gossip, news, NOTHING political, livestock judging rants, random tidbits from my job and lots and lots of stock show drama :) If none of that sounds appealing, by all means - do not read this blog. It's okay, I won't be upset.

Made it through my first post. Neat!

JAR